Chapter 2

Memories spun before my eyes, leaving me unable to tell if I was in hell or still in the world of the living.

So, no matter what, I couldn't go back to the countryside.

I didn't dare get tangled up with Lawrence. All I wanted was a quiet, normal life.

In the middle of the night, the snowstorm grew fiercer. I was shivering so hard that my body started to burn with fever. The old scars on my skin felt hot, and the chilblains on my hands itched unbearably.

I couldn't stop scratching. Three years ago, my hands were slender and delicate, but at that moment, they were swollen, red, and looked like sausages.

I curled up into a ball, so cold that my mind was slipping away. It felt like my lungs were packed with frost, and the suffocating sensation was intense.

I was feverish and half out of it, drifting in and out, until the sun finally rose and someone opened the door.

"Do you know what you did wrong?" That was the first thing my dad asked me.

I nodded.

My mother was crying quietly off to the side.

She said softly, "Nellie, you must be freezing.

"You've always had a stubborn streak. Your dad said last night he wanted you to toughen up a bit."

I shook my head, the world spinning around me. I pressed my palm hard to keep myself upright.

"I'm fine," I managed, my voice barely steady.

The breath I let out was scorching. I bit at the cracked skin on my lips, catching the taste of blood.

Liam cut in, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Who knows what kind of crazy she's on? She comes back putting on this act, like she's the victim or something."

I muttered under my breath, "It's not like that."

I was terrified that if anyone dug up those three miserable years, the shame would be unbearable.

My dad was the first to get fed up.

"Go upstairs and get some rest. And change your clothes. You look a mess," he snapped.

I was burning up, and the fever wouldn't go away.

It didn't break until the following evening.

Delirious with fever, I saw a shadowy figure in the darkness and instinctively curled up, clutching my head.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please don't hit me... don't hit me..." I whimpered, my voice shaking with fear.

"Nellie, why are you acting crazy?" Liam snapped.

It was like I'd been drowning and suddenly broke the surface, gasping for air.

I gulped in breath after breath, my whole body tingling and numb.

Liam shot me an impatient look. "Nellie, are you faking it again?"

They had no clue that during that winter, juggling multiple part-time jobs left my lungs a mess and gave me asthma.

After everything that happened last night, it flared up again.

I just wanted to survive.

The doctor warned me that, if I had a few more attacks like this, I might not make it.

But I couldn't stop. I could feel the metallic taste of blood flooding my chest.

For a split second, I saw panic flicker in Liam's eyes.

After that, my mind just went numb.

All I knew was that I ended up in the hospital.

When I finally woke up, the nurse reminded me to see the doctor.

The doctor told me I needed to start treatment right away. Several spots in my lungs were really bad with fibrosis, and he was going to put me on medication.

When I saw the price tag on one of the meds, it was hundreds of dollars.

All together, it would cost thousands of dollars.

Instinctively, I slid the bill back toward him.

"Doctor, I'm still young. I'll be okay, really. Is there a cheaper option for the meds?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He looked at me and shook his head, but eventually, he relented and changed the prescription.

At least hundreds of dollars were still within my reach.

As I reached the end of the hallway, I saw Lawrence by Matilda's side, keeping her company.

Matilda, the real heiress of the Parker family, had grown into a poised and elegant young woman over the years.

They looked like they belonged together, perfectly matched.

Matilda's voice was gentle, her eyes full of concern as she looked at me. "Nellie, are you feeling unwell?"

Was she kidding me? We were not really sisters.

But then Lawrence shot me a look.

Instinctively, I took a half-step back.

Back then, just a glance from Lawrence would have made my day.

Now, his stare felt like the Grim Reaper coming to claim me, which was chilling.

"I didn't realize you were at this hospital, Lawrence. Sorry. I'll pick another place next time," I mumbled, feeling awkward.

With that, I turned aside and made a quick exit, barely daring to look back.

The doctor who handed me my medications took one look at how skinny I was and told me, "Make sure you take your medicine, eat something decent, look after yourself, and try to enjoy life."

My fingers went numb.

Wasn't that what doctors said to someone who was beyond saving?

I shook the thought away.

As I walked out, I bumped into Liam.

He was standing by the car door.

Instinctively, I stepped aside to avoid him.

But Liam moved again, cutting me off and blocking my way.

"You're going to walk home?" Liam asked, sounding surprised.

I said quietly, "I didn't know Matilda was at this hospital. I won't come here again, so don't mind me."

I tried to walk around him.

Liam took a sharp breath. "It's so far. Are you really going to walk all the way home?"

I knew I was in no shape to walk home. I'd never make it.

"I'll just grab a cab," I said.

Liam grabbed the bag of medicine from my hand.

"Don't think I won't just toss this," he said, daring me.

He suddenly bumped into the chilblains on my hand, and I winced from the pain.

Liam was still as much of a pain as ever.

Those medicines weren't cheap, so I caved and got in the car.

I spread my coat over just a corner of the back seat to sit on.

I was afraid he'd judge me again.

Liam frowned at me.

He reached over, yanked my coat out, and threw it straight into a trash can by the curb.

"No need to keep that rag. And let me warn you. Matilda's marrying Lawrence, so stop causing drama!" he snapped.